Bandol — Vineyards & Tasting: private taxi tour

The Bandol vineyard is three centuries of history that start flowing into the glasses as soon as you cross the gate of Domaine Tempier, in La Cadière-d'Azur. I like to start there. The owners gladly tell you how their fathers saved mourvèdre, that stubborn grape that refuses to ripen anywhere but here, on these limestone terraces scorched by the sun. Even before tasting, you can smell the garrigue rising from the vines. Then I take you to Château Pibarnon. The road climbs in hairpin bends, you hardly meet two cars, and at the top the view takes your breath away: the vines descend in terraces to the bay of Bandol and, on a clear day, you can make out the Embiez islands. The rosés there are of rare finesse, and the reds age twenty years without faltering. You taste at your leisure, and I drive. Book on +33 6 98 46 63 34.